Echoing endlessly in Minister Shen’s ears were the crack of the whip striking flesh and that man’s paper-white face, which reinforced his judgment: “Yang Zhe was a top scholar who also won the Crown Prince’s favor. With such advantages, he had absolutely no reason to harm the Crown Prince. That leaves only two possibilities—either he was framed, or there was an irreconcilable conflict. If we say he was framed, how could the villain who harmed the Crown Prince be certain Yang Zhe would go to the privy at that exact time? But if he’s from Qi, it all makes sense.”
Emperor Tai’an looked toward Cheng Maoming.
Cheng Maoming’s face showed conflicted emotions: “This subject… has a different view from Minister Shen.”
Minister Shen’s eyes widened slightly, unable to hide his astonishment.
“Not long ago, the Jade Glaze maidservant disappeared by disguising herself as a purchasing servant to leave the guesthouse. That matter was connected to remnants of the previous dynasty. Now someone else has disguised themselves as Yang Zhe, with a mask so realistic it could fool frequent acquaintances. In this subject’s view, the possibility of two disguise experts appearing in such a short time is extremely small. Behind these two incidents should be the same disguise expert skilled in making masks.”
If such disguise experts were common everywhere, the realm would have descended into chaos long ago.
Cheng Maoming stated his speculation: “This subject is more inclined to believe the villain said this deliberately.”
“Then why would he specifically slander Yang Zhe?” Minister Shen was somewhat unconvinced.
“Among those drinking with the Crown Prince, Yang Zhe was most favored and trusted by the Crown Prince. Disguising as Yang Zhe provided the most opportunities to act. After being caught, dragging Yang Zhe down as well is no loss at the very least.”
Emperor Tai’an listened to the two men’s differing views, his gaze darkening.
Based on his years of dealings with the people of Qi, this matter didn’t seem like their handiwork.
Was Yang Zhe being wrongly accused?
This thought flickered past, yet Emperor Tai’an’s eyes remained icy cold.
Regarding the Crown Prince’s death, no matter how reliable the speculation, as long as it couldn’t be confirmed, he wouldn’t let it go.
Not even for a top scholar who had achieved triple first place.
“Summon Yang Zhe to the palace.”
Without waiting long, Yang Zhe followed a eunuch inside.
After several days of imprisoned life, unable to bathe or change clothes, with only anxious uncertainty about his future and fate, maintaining basic dignity was already difficult. Yet as he walked forward slowly, he remained like upright bamboo—his outward dishevelment unable to conceal his bearing.
Emperor Tai’an silently watched the young man approach and kneel, sighing inwardly.
Who wouldn’t like such a young man?
“This subject greets Your Majesty.”
Emperor Tai’an didn’t tell him to rise. His gaze condensed like dark clouds, deep as ink—enough to make all ministers tremble with fear.
“Tell Compiler Yang the situation.” Emperor Tai’an’s eyes swept over Cheng Maoming.
Cheng Maoming gave Yang Zhe a smile devoid of warmth: “The person impersonating Compiler Yang has been found. After interrogation, he confessed that Compiler Yang ordered him to do it.”
Yang Zhe froze.
“Yang Zhe, what do you say?” Emperor Tai’an asked in a heavy voice.
Yang Zhe pressed his forehead to the ground, his voice maintaining calm: “This subject’s ancestors for generations have all been people of Great Zhou. Your Majesty, please examine clearly.”
Emperor Tai’an raised an eyebrow: “So you’re saying that man is slandering you?”
“This subject is innocent. This subject and the Crown Prince—” The young man who had remained calm and composed all along now had a slightly choked voice. The eyes he raised held sorrow so thick it couldn’t dissolve. “This subject and the Crown Prince were kindred spirits. In this subject’s heart, the Crown Prince was the heir apparent, and more than that, a friend. If there were a choice, this subject would rather it had been me who died…”
Emperor Tai’an listened quietly, his heart utterly unmoved.
With his position and experience, no matter how beautiful the words, they couldn’t shake his thoughts. Only true action could make him change.
“Then how will you prove your innocence?” After hearing Yang Zhe finish, Emperor Tai’an asked this question.
Yang Zhe fell silent for a moment. His hand hanging at his side clenched then released: “This subject has a clear conscience and is willing to accept interrogation.”
Cheng Maoming understood Emperor Tai’an’s thoughts and said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes: “Compiler Yang probably doesn’t know—interrogation at minimum strips away a layer of skin. It’s hardly suitable for a scholar like you.”
Yang Zhe lowered his eyes: “If it can prove my innocence, anything is acceptable.”
“Why go to such trouble?” Emperor Tai’an suddenly spoke. “Liu Chuan—”
Liu Chuan entered through a side door and shortly emerged carrying a tray, walking all the way to Yang Zhe.
On the tray sat a white jade wine cup. The wine within rippled with waves, as if concealing unfathomable whirlpools.
“Drink this cup of wine, and I will believe in your innocence.” Emperor Tai’an said lightly.
His brows and eyes were deep, the corners of his eyes etched with the traces of years. His taut facial lines revealed an emperor’s cruelty.
A top scholar who achieved triple first place, whose background and origins had no flaws—in his view, if he truly were from Qi, or connected to Emperor Pingle’s faction, his identity must be extraordinary.
Such a person, no matter how composed and calm their usual behavior, would ultimately still fear death.
The higher a person’s status, the more they cherished life. As emperor, he understood this all too clearly.
He wanted to see how Yang Zhe would react when facing life and death.
Yang Zhe stared fixedly at the white jade wine cup on the tray, then slowly reached out and grasped the wine cup in his hand.
His movement made both Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen unconsciously hold their breath. In contrast, Emperor Tai’an maintained an impassive expression, watching coldly.
Yang Zhe gripped the wine cup tightly and raised his eyes to meet Emperor Tai’an’s gaze.
“If dying can prove this subject’s innocence, I couldn’t ask for more. My only regret would be not being able to serve the country with what I’ve learned.” After speaking, a trace of bitter smile flashed across his lips as he brought the wine cup to his mouth and drank it all in one gulp.
The wine cup fell to the ground with a crisp clinking sound.
Yang Zhe knelt there, tension finally appearing on his pale face.
Emperor Tai’an raised his eyebrows slightly: “I thought Compiler Yang wouldn’t be afraid.”
Yang Zhe’s breathing became somewhat heavier, seemingly labored. The bitter smile at his lips deepened: “This subject is also human. All humans fear death.”
“Then why did you drink it without hesitation?”
“Because to this subject, there are things more important than death.”
By now, his abdomen burned and twisted with pain—the poisoned wine seemed to be taking effect.
“Oh? What is more important than death?”
“The very thing this subject has been trying to prove to Your Majesty—this subject’s innocence.” Though the young man’s expression showed pain, his eyes were exceptionally clear. “This subject is unwilling to bear the suspicion and gossip of having murdered the Crown Prince. That is more important than death.”
He clutched his abdomen as beads of sweat rolled from his pale forehead, splattering onto the smooth, mirror-like floor tiles.
The pain was even harder to endure than imagined, and somewhat strange—
A sigh came from above.
“I believe you now.”
Yang Zhe raised his head with difficulty, joy appearing in his eyes: “This subject… thanks Your Majesty…”
Emperor Tai’an glanced at Liu Chuan.
Liu Chuan gave Yang Zhe a kindly twitch of his lips: “Would Compiler Yang like to go relieve himself?”
Yang Zhe froze, suddenly understanding: “I—”
“Compiler Yang, please follow this servant.”
Yang Zhe kowtowed heavily toward Emperor Tai’an.
Emperor Tai’an said nothing. After Liu Chuan led Yang Zhe out, he instructed Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen: “Go tell that villain.”
“Yes.”
In the interrogation room where the smell of blood hadn’t dispersed, Cheng Maoming and Minister Shen appeared before the man once again.